Attorney General

Two Newspapers, Two Different Views of Michael Mukasey

Two very different views of Attorney General Michael Mukasey emerged in recent editorials by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. The Wall Street Journal calls the former judge, who is experienced in terrorism trials, “an attorney general worthy of the current moment.” Mukasey is backing legislation that…

Mar 31, 2008 2:57 PM CDT

DOJ Considers Dropping Charges Against Defense Lawyer

The Justice Department is considering whether to drop charges against a prominent Miami defense lawyer accused of laundering money by accepting fees from drug dealers. A government motion (PDF) filed Monday says a new lead prosecutor is now handling the controversial case against Ben Kuehne and is undertaking a review…

Mar 28, 2008 11:51 AM CDT

Mukasey’s High Court Argument Said to Be Dry, to the Point and Loud in Tone

Attorney General Michael Mukasey appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court for the first time in his professional life yesterday, restoring a tradition that the Justice Department’s top lawyer participate in at least one oral argument. Although the attorney general had confessed he was nervous about the argument, he did not…

Mar 26, 2008 11:09 AM CDT

Justice Department Weighing Theories and Evidence in Subprime Crisis

Attorney General Michael Mukasey told reporters \Friday that lawyers at the Justice Department are reviewing information flowing in about the subprime crisis to see if there is a “larger criminal story.” Mukasey said the department hasn’t determined whether the problems merit a response like the corporate fraud crackdown that began…

Mar 24, 2008 6:32 PM CDT

Editorial Denounces Boston Law Profs’ Mukasey Disinvite

The Wall Street Journal is criticizing law professors at Boston College for using religion to justify their opposition to Michael Mukasey’s upcoming commencement speech. In “a discourteous bit of political theater,” 22 law professors signed a letter asking the attorney general to withdraw, the Wall Street Journal editorial says. The…

Mar 21, 2008 2:11 PM CDT

Why the Feds Aggressively Pursued Spitzer

Many federal prosecutions of large prostitution rings were brought before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, when prosecutors were forced to refocus their resources. Now there are about 450 active cases, but the recent investigations mostly involve large amounts of money or special circumstances such as human trafficking and underage prostitutes.…

Mar 21, 2008 11:05 AM CDT

Law Profs Tell Mukasey He’s Not Wanted as Commencement Speaker

Twenty-two law professors at Boston College Law School are sending a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking him to withdraw as a commencement speaker. The letter (PDF from Eagleionline) is the latest in a simmering controversy over the decision by law school dean John Garvey to invite Mukasey to…

Mar 13, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

Bank Reports a Boon to Prosecutors

Suspicious-transaction reports by banks have helped federal prosecutors launch prosecutions for crimes ranging from terrorism to public corruption. Such reports played a key role in the investigation of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who allegedly made four payments of $5,000 or less to a high-priced prostitution ring known as Emporers…

Mar 12, 2008 12:57 PM CDT

Mukasey to Make High Court Appearance

For the first time in more than a decade, the U.S. attorney general will argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney General Michael Mukasey will ask the justices to reinstate the sentence of al-Qaida plotter Ahmed Ressam in an argument on March 25, the Washington Post reports. A…

Mar 12, 2008 12:31 PM CDT

Former AG Ashcroft Spars With Legislator Over Monitoring Contract

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft sparred with the chairwoman of a House Judiciary subcommittee who questioned him today about his consulting firm’s contract to monitor an Indiana medical supply company. U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez of California described the contract as a “sweetheart deal” in which “Ashcroft was selected with no…

Mar 11, 2008 7:08 PM CDT

Former AG Ashcroft Testifies Today in Corporate Monitor Hearings

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft testifies before a House Judiciary subcommittee today on the hiring of monitors to police corporate behavior. The U.S. attorney in New Jersey gave Ashcroft’s firm a lucrative contract to monitor an Indiana medical supply company as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. The committee wants…

Mar 11, 2008 1:31 PM CDT

House Legal Arm, Led by Veteran D.C. Firm Partner, Files Contempt Suit

Updated: A lawsuit (PDF) filed today by the House of Representatives seeks to enforce subpoenas against two Bush aides, the Washington Post reports. The complaint was drafted by Irvin Nathan, a former chairman of Arnold & Porter’s white-collar practice who jumped from the law firm to head the House General…

Mar 10, 2008 4:45 PM CDT

Law Prof’s Sarcastic Op-Ed Cites ‘Mukasey’s Paradox’

Law professor Jonathan Turley of George Washington University is taking aim at recent decisions by the attorney general by giving a name to the legal reasoning that spurred them: Mukasey’s Paradox. Turley makes his points in an op-ed published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He says he once was troubled by…

Mar 10, 2008 2:07 PM CDT

Boston Law Won’t Award Top Medal to Mukasey When He Addresses Grads

Attorney General Michael Mukasey will be the first commencement speaker in some time at Boston College Law School who won’t receive its highest award, but he won’t be the last. Law school dean John Garvey announced yesterday that the school will no longer give its Founder’s Medal to commencement speakers,…

Mar 5, 2008 11:37 AM CST

Senate Confirms Filip as No. 2 Justice Official

The Senate has confirmed Mark Filip, a federal judge in Chicago, to become the Justice Department’s second in command. The confirmation was part of a broader agreement by Democrats to confirm more White House appointments, report the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). In exchange, the administration…

Mar 4, 2008 11:49 AM CST